A Conservation Physiology Approach to Alligator Gar Populations

Alligator gar Atractosteus spatula are an apex predator and a species of conservation concern in Arkansas. Supplemental and reintroduction stockings have occurred in Arkansas for this species.  Proposals for stocking alligator gar differ among management agencies but concerns over the loss of specific local adaptations and/or genetic diversity has led to discussions by some jurisdictions to use a watershed or basin strategy to protect the integrity individual populations.  For several years we have been performing tests characterizing the physiological performance of different populations of alligator gar.  The range of alligator gar includes both estuarine and freshwater populations.  Our tests include evaluations of temperature tolerance, metabolic rate, and swimming performance over temperature and salinity gradients.  The results of these ongoing trials are intended to compliment our understanding of observed genetic differences among populations of alligator gar.